Gravesend Granny Scammed Out of £15,000 by Fake Cop
A ruthless fraudster has conned a Gravesend pensioner out of a whopping £15,000 using a bogus police officer trick. Residents are now warned to stay alert after the heartless scam targeted an 80-something woman.
Scam Begins with Fake Call from ‘Niece’ in Trouble
On 24 April, the victim received a chilling phone call. The scammer pretended to be her niece, claiming she was in custody and needed bail money to get out. The pensioner immediately smelled a rat and tried to ring 101 to report it.
However, the call never connected. The crook had reportedly kept her phone line open to snatch any calls to the police.
Courier Collects Thousands in Cash
The fraud didn’t stop there. The fake cop reassured her on a second call, convincing her to withdraw £5,000 from her bank. A courier then turned up to collect the cash.
The scam repeated on 27 and 28 April, with the same courier swooping in each time to pocket more money.
Police Warn: Don’t Fall for This Scam
Chief Inspector Neil Loudon, Kent Police’s North Kent Commander, said: “Sadly, scams like this often target the most vulnerable in our community.”
“Police will never ask for your bank details or money over the phone, nor will they tell you to withdraw cash and hand it over.”
“If you get one of these calls, hang up immediately. Then wait at least five minutes before using your phone again to clear the line.”
“Please share this warning with vulnerable friends and family who might not have social media or internet access.”
Gravesend residents are urged to stay sharp and spread the word to protect loved ones from falling into these cruel scams.
